Rum in The New York Times

[Rum Runner]

They tackle a selection of aged rums with mixed results. Here is the link.

[leisure master]

Thanks for posting RR.

I don't think that article is going to win over many new rum drinkers. I get the impression the writer was looking for reasons to not like the rum they were trying. They really seemed bothered by the lack of strict and narrow rules to define rum - I guess that's why they like agricoles the best since that style has so many "rules".

And who picked those rums? wow. Ron Abuelo? Comparing Goslings Family Reserve and Renegade (at more than $80 each) to the likes of Appleton Extra and ED15 (at $33 each)? Why not include the 21-year versions to keep things similar?

Maybe they did - they don't disclose the full list of 20 they tried as far as I can tell.

No Zacapa? No Diplimatico RE?

meh.

[Edoc]

Kudos to Barbancourt for their high rating-- I enjoy their 15 yr reserve. But I can't believe they would put Goslings Old Family Rum at the bottom of the pack with only two stars. Are they crazy? And Santa Teresa 1796 getting only two and a half stars? I'm tempted to leap to the conclusion that these tasters may know whiskey and tequila, but they do not have a palette for rum.

[Rum Runner]

Thanks for posting that related link lperry!


I agree with leisure and Edoc on the tasting article.

When I read the opinion that the rums "were all over the place" I immediately thought....The rums aren't...the tasters are.

[gatomalo]

Originally Posted by Edoc

I'm tempted to leap to the conclusion that these tasters may know whiskey and tequila, but they do not have a palette for rum.

I'm tempted to leap to the conclusion that they know eff-all about rum!

[Edoc]

Exactly. One of the beautiful things about rum is that there's so much variance in flavor from distillers, countries and regions.

[Edward Hamilton]

It looks like Eric and his friends haven't figured out age statements yet. Age statements are just one of the reasons rum has a tarnished reputation, but that's changing and articles like this will cast more scrutiny on producers.

[Ben]

I get it that it's a matter a personal taste, but to rank Bacardi 8 (which is not a bad rum, let me add) ahead of national treasures like ED 15 or ST1796 ?

I would expect more experience from NY Times for a rum article.

[Mistahunter]

Funny - I swore off Bacardi products a long time ago. It seems like the Barcardi 8 is getting some buzz lately.

Very suprised to see El Dorado ranked that low...more suprised to see Appleton's 12 at the bottom of this list.

Ranking rums is tricky because personal tastes differ and change...but something is off with this list.

So, should I break my Bacardi boycott???

[Edoc]

I did a little sampling myself tonight. I poured a little Mt Gay XO, El Dorado 15yr, Santa Teresa 1796, Barbancourt 15yr, Goslings FROR and Abuelo (12 yr, not 7 though). These rums are all fantastically different. The Mt Gay and Abuelo are very oaky, the Goslings like rum version of port wine, the Santa Teresa like a rum sherry, the El Dorado and Barbancourt have a lovely smokey and deep complex cane character. All of these rums are freaking terrific and have their own merits. Verdict: The NYT's approach to scoring and ranking these is total shite.